What This Means To Phillies Nation

At 9:58 p.m., Wednesday, October 29, 2008, Philadelphia exorcised its demons with a brilliant rush of red.

The rush sounded like a vaccuum, a blast of wind escaping from a crowded, decaying room. And that it was — the voices of the thousands of Phillies fans at Citizens Bank Park represented the collective joys of an entire fanbase, an entire city, finally being released into the crisp, cold October air.

No longer will we speak of Joe Carter’s home run. No longer will we speak of throwing up on the field, or suffering a concussion on the ice, or stopping a jump shot from a clutch player. Now we’ll speak about Matt Stairs’ dramatic atomic bomb, and Pedro Feliz’s seeing-eye bouncer, and Brad Lidge’s slider.

Lidge’s slider was the most appropriate ending to this incredible ride. I kept envisioning Lidge tossing a slider, a bat swinging through the zone, Lidge dropping down and awaiting the stampede. And of course, that’s how it happened. Of course.

We didn’t see it earlier in the season, when the team was a few games back and plodding. We didn’t even see it when they were in first place, hanging on tight while being poked by the Mets and Marlins. But as the postseason crept closer, we started noticing that businesslike swagger from the Phillies. It wasn’t young energy, or scrappiness, or a great final push forward. This was a team assured of its place and abilities.

During the time we loathed him, Jimmy Rollins said the Phils would win because they’d come through late in the season. We rolled our eyes at him, even cursed him. Of course, he was correct. Of course.

Through all our whining and moaning, we didn’t know how focused and relaxed this team really was. They played their game — a game Rollins knew could win 100 times. They never fretted when down a run or three, they never let up when up a run or three. Together, 25 men played their game — a game that not only won 100 games, but 103, and a world championship.

It’s a Phillies team that we haven’t seen recently in Philadelphia. We’ve seen the young, energetic teams (1997 Flyers), the scrappy teams (1993 Phillies) and the teams making a final push forward (2001 Sixers). We’ve seen heartbreak after heartbreak. But now we have our team — our strong-willed, hard-boned, focused, determined team that took us all the way to the door.

And last night, amid a sea of red in a city of nerves, that team broke down the door and let it all out.

24 Comments

Tim, I am exhausted, ecstatic, sick and pumped up for tomorrow! I have been a full season ticket holder for 5 years now and it is officially all worth it! I was there for every playoff victory and can’t wait to head to CBP for the 5th time in 7 days for one last Celebration! Last night was the raucus party and tomorrow is the elated party 25 years in the making for our fine city! Thanks for all your writing this season. I got introduced to this blog this season and will be checking in indefinitely. Thank You!

I still cant get over how Brad Lidge went an entire season without blowing a save. Thats definitely legendary.

I still dont see Charlie getting enough credit in some media outlets. He outmanaged Joe Torre and Joe Maddon in the last two rounds hands down. AND he got this team, which – like the 1980 team – was much maligned during various parts of the season, to focus on its business and perform to their full potential. Thats what a GREAT manager does.

anyone know the process for exchanging the small ticket for the normal looking world series ticket? i have the crappy looking ticket for game 5 and i heard you can send it back for a crisp new, larger more sturdy ticket.
tim – help!

October 28, 2008, the day the Phillies destroyed 28 years worth of anger, frustration and mediocrity. This date is the crowning achievement of the Phillies in the 21st century. The road was long, and the struggle seemed arduous at times. The Phillies this year battled adversity. They battled bad pitching(see Eaton, Adam), poor offense(See interleague play), and when immortality was in reach, it was almost thwarted by Mother Nature and one man(see Selig, Bud). The 2008 Phillies season will be one of the most defining moments in my early life. While I anxiously awaited the final out of the World Series, ending my 19 years of wondering the what ifs, I thought of my family who has been through far worse. My Babci, who has been a Phillies fan for well over 80 years and watched 99.9% of games, my uncle, who still stood his ground even after the 1964 collapse and finally myself and my brothers and sister, who listened to countless Yankees and Mets fans telling us that we would never reach this point. This date, October 28, 2008, will be remembered by Phillies fans for generations. It will be our Christmas! The names Utley, Hamels, Stairs, Moyer and Victorino will be immortalized by their heroics throughout this month. I find myself overjoyed and a feeling of awe over my family. The Phillies, a team of 25 men, has impacted a generation. I know I will pass down these feelings to my children and subsequent generations. For the first time in 28 years, this is not the winter of our discontent. The Championship by the boys of summer will keep me warm even in the coldest days. And for that I have to thank the Phillies! RP

I would love more audio please. And while you’re at it, check out Joe Sheehan’s excellent piece on the Phillies over at Baseball Prospectus. It’s fabulous – and a great local slant from a national baseball writer.

“The names Utley, Hamels, Stairs, Moyer and Victorino will be immortalized by their heroics throughout this month.”

So easy to forget the hate you used to have for them. If TO comes back to Philly and the Eagles win a super bowl, will you love T.O. again and claim that he changed your family forever? It’s sad that fans never supported this team until the very end and now claim to be part of it.

I remember being on here back in the summer saying how the Phils were done and they had no chance at making the playoffs and we need to get rid of Uncle Cholly…Now were World Champs and Uncle Cholly crazy moves have gotten us a World Championship.

Jack what are you talking about. I went to spring training this year and was there for the ups and downs. I was sat through a 3.5 hour rain delay waiting for those Phillies to play to bluejays and they then proceeded to lose. I have been a phan for 19 years. I was showing how proud I was of being a phillies fan and what this win meant for my family and you have to nerve to say something like that. TO didn’t stay, none of these guys begged to be traded and I still support Rollins!!!

This may be great for the Philly nation….but for the Met fan….Its like waiting at the alter,the bride spits in your face and marries the best man after he punches you in the face….after the wedding,the bride tells you that the daughter you had was really the best man’s. (and no its not from personal experience)I am happy for you guys (esp those who welcomed me) that your team won…..but I can’t contain my anger and rage for my Amazins spitting the bit year after year.I do tip my cap to the Phillies because they deserved it.

Folks, I’ll try to get some of the audio clips to Brian so he can post them, but I won’t be able to get to it until Saturday…sorry…working tonight and busy with the whole Halloween thing tomorrow. I have plans for Jenkins’ double, him scoring on Werth’s “hit,” Utley’s throw to the plate, Burrell’s double, Feliz’s game winning RBI, and of course, the slider. Maybe even Vic’s 2 run hit in Game 5 Part 1.

“Clutch” ought to be the title of the post-season DVD. (BTW, who isn’t just chomping at the bit to get that one after years of watching team highlights with no pararde).

This team was clutch in every sense of the word. Starting pitching, middle relief, closer, home runs, big hits, bunts, pinch hitters, great defense, managerial moves……this team was just clutch over and over.

And it seemed like it was someone different every night. Think about it, is there anyone that wasn’t clutch in the post-season. The only person I can think of is Taguchi, but overall this team was the clutchest of the clutch. We’ve missed that in Philly for a long time.